Salford City head coach Peter Cklamovski has labelled Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Shrewsbury Town as 'criminal' after his side failed to capitalise on a dominant display. A 74th-minute goal from Will Boyle condemned the Ammies to a second consecutive League Two loss, leaving them 22nd in the table with zero points from two games.
This report was first published by Salford City. The team's difficult start to the season is reflected in the early standings, where they sit six points behind leaders Barnet. With only one goal scored and four conceded so far, finding a cutting edge is an immediate priority ahead of Tuesday's home match against Newport County at AIG Stadium.
What did Peter Cklamovski say after the game?
Peter Cklamovski did not hide his frustration in his post-match assessment. He felt the performance warranted a victory, making the result hard to accept. "It’s criminal not to get three points in a game like that, and unexplainable how you lose the game," the head coach stated. He pointed to the volume of opportunities created as evidence of his team's control at the Shropshire ground.
Cklamovski emphasised that the game was there for the taking. "The game was there for us, the performance was there for us, we had multiple chances in the game," he said. His primary criticism was a lack of ruthlessness in the final third, with chances falling to players like Macaulay Langstaff, Ade Oluwo, and Kallum Cesay. The coach acknowledged the team is in a tough period and called for everyone at the club to reflect on the loss and fight through the challenge together.
How did the match unfold at Shrewsbury?
The contest was decided by a single moment in the second half. Despite Salford creating the better openings, Shrewsbury Town's Will Boyle found the net with 16 minutes of regular time remaining. That goal proved sufficient for the home side. Salford's failure to convert their own opportunities, which Cklamovski described as 'multiple', meant they travelled back from Shropshire empty-handed.
The defeat extends a concerning early trend. The team's form reads LL, with a goal difference of minus three. This places significant importance on the upcoming fixture, as they seek to get their first points on the board. Fans can review the full schedule on the club's fixtures page.
What does this mean for Salford City's season?
The immediate consequence is a pressing need for a response. Sitting in 22nd place with zero points creates early pressure. The -3 goal difference highlights the issues at both ends of the pitch that need correcting. The next opportunity arrives quickly with a midweek game at the AIG Stadium.
Facing Newport County on Tuesday represents a critical chance to stop the slide. A positive result is needed to build confidence and begin climbing the standings. The coaching staff and players must find a way to translate their territorial dominance, as seen at Shrewsbury, into goals and points. The current squad details are always available for supporters to view on our squad page.
Cklamovski's message is clear: the performance level was adequate, but the outcome was not. The team must now prove it can be more clinical under pressure. The disappointment of not winning for the travelling fans at Shrewsbury will only be alleviated by securing a result in front of their own supporters this week.
